on slowing down part IV: a story
November 10, 2010 After seeing off most of the bloggers Sunday afternoon, the pace suddenly slowed. Emily, Allie, Heather + I barged into Teri’s small hotel room and piled onto her king size bed. We sat there chatting with tired feet + sleepy eyes, while stuffing our mouths with things like Frog Hollow dried peaches. The only thing on our mind was dinner. We wanted something comforting and simple, while still delicious. After a few days of indulging, and eating foods our stomachs aren’t entirely used to, we all agreed Italian sounded the most appealing.
Teri got to work checking reviews, menus and prices on her phone. We knew we hit the jackpot when Teri started reading the reviews for Franchino’s, just past Chinatown. From what we gathered, it was going to be an authentic Italian meal that wouldn’t break the bank.
- google – 4.5/5 stars with 105 reviews
- yelp – 4/5 stars with 255 reviews
I spent 10 days in Italy, my junior year of college, and no meal during that trip can compare. This meal went un-photographed, not only because of dim lighting, but because it just really couldn’t be captured. It was one of those meals that was all about the experience. I soaked in every second of this dining experience, with fabulous company. We were first greeted by the father [and owner] of the restaurant. He walked slowly singing through the restaurant, as his wife brought us to our table and passed out the menus. The interior was very small and cozy. Upon walking in we could sense how fabulous the meal was going to be.
I ordered the manicotti special and cleared my plate. I was applauded by the mother for finishing every bite. It wasn’t just finished, it was scraped clean. The tomato sauce was simple, but thick and flavorful. The manicotti noodles were perfectly cooked and filled with soft, sweet ricotta cheese + spinach. The dish was covered in melted mozzarella and a healthy serving of freshly grated parmesan cheese. Every bite was eaten slowly and savored. The homemade pesto, that a few of the other girls ordered, was nothing short of amazing. We are thinking the secret might have been a splash of cream. It was a vibrant but lighter green color than typical pesto. It had more of a creamy than oily texture. Just lovely. And let’s not even begin to talk about the texture of the gnocci or the homemade fettuccini noodles. I’m sure you can imagine.
Something about the night just felt special. The company, the food, I’m sure it was a little of everything. We headed back to the hotel and said our goodbyes to Allie + Heather. It was down to three. We headed to Teri’s room, slumber party style. I haven’t had a sleepover like that since middle school?? We talked and talked about everything under the sun, until the sun practically rose. Our heads hit the pillow by 3am, cozied up in the king size bed.
Our 8am wakeup call came way too soon, but we were excited to get started with our day. The weather was gorgeous and we were on a mission for breakfast. It was just a few short hours before Teri had to leave. The three of us threw on whatever was clean and headed out to the Ferry Building, once again. We dined at il Cane Rosso, which I highly recommend.
The 3 of us ordered 3 things for breakfast. 3 of the exact same things.
- a small pot of french press coffee
- a bowl of broken farro with raisins + almonds
- a half serving of homemade organic yogurt with apple compote + granola
We dined outside, enjoying the sunshine and cool temperature.
I think I can speak for the group when I say that the feeling from dinner the night before carried through to this breakfast.
You’d think we would have run out of things to talk about, but that was definitely not the case. However, there were a few minutes of silence as we consumed the first bites of the broken farro porridge. We just couldn’t get over it.
I can without a doubt say that this was the best breakfast of my life. Forget French toast, forget waffles, not even oats, this was a hands down winner.
The yogurt was thick and tangy. It was not quite as tangy as Greek yogurt and had a consistency that I have never before experienced. There was a hint of lemon [maybe in the compote], perfectly baked granola, and a delicious sweet scoop of apple compote.
I don’t think a creamier texture could exist. It had a nutty but slightly sweet and buttery flavor. My description of the flavor that morning was that it tasted like a creamed, buttered, biscuit. That might sound odd, but they agreed. The raisins inside were perfectly chewy and the almonds provided the necessary crunch.
Every bite, from every bowl, was consumed.
Then we sat…
Then we watched…
Then we chatted…
Then we hugged…
Then Teri left…
…and now I go to sleep :)
Ashley
Family + Friends, Travel
Reader Comments (53)
It's so sad to say goodbye...I was ready to cry at the brunch...I just didn't want to leave! But even so, I felt like I had my fill. I was satisfied and full of warmth and happiness from meeting all the wonderful bloggers, and I was ready to go back to my usual lifestyle of work, work, and more work.
It certainly was a special weekend, one I will never forget.
It was really nice meeting you...though just one little hug! I kind of wished foodbuzz festival was smaller and longer, but I guess that defeats the purposes of a mass celebration of food!
What a beautiful recap. So glad the trip ended this way for you. I can only imagine how much you miss it.
That sounds like an incredible time... and I want some farro porridge!
I wish I could try both of those places! They sound so good. I also love that you guys had a massive sleepover, too cute. Can I join in next year, please? :)
What a fantastic night (and morning too). I love restaurants like that... they're hard to find though!
Sometimes time spent with friends cannot even be captured on camera due to how lovely it really is. I am so glad you had fun with them over the weekend - I hope I can fit in time/have the funds to go next year so I can meet you!
Memories like this are what life is made of! Sometimes the camera cant capure the moment.. so we shall just enjoy those times :-)
I read Emily's post on the farro and it sounds AWESOME. My dad loves the stuff, so I have to introduce it to him for breakfast. Glad you had such a wonderful breakfast with friends.
What a beautiful story. I love nights and mornings like those, where the food and the company makes everything perfect! Glad you had a good time in San Fran :)
xo
And now I wish I was in San Fran to go to that restaurant. I love Italian anyway, but that sounds amazing.
ive put the broken farro restaurant on the top of my san francisco list!
I love your recap! And now I have a major craving for Italian food and broken farro porridge (even though I've never even had broken farro porridge). :)
I've loved reading all the bloggers recaps from San Fran. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I've never heard of this restaurant, thanks for the tip!
I'm glad you had such a good (I accidentally just typed "Food" instead of "Good")time this weekend!
That farro sounds amazing! I'm adding it to my list of grains to try.
I read about farro first on Emily's blog yesterday, then today on Kath's blog, and now here. I had never even heard of it when I saw it at Costco the other day and wondered what it was. Now I may just have to go back and get it to experiment!
I had breakfast at il Cane Rosso a few weeks ago when I was in San Fran for the nike womens marathon. amazing experience. Seeing the farro brought back good memories.
Aaaaaaahhh I want to be back there RIGHT now. Love these pictures. Breakfast by the water should happen every day.
Ooh, i love those kinds of meals and experiences. Sometimes pictures just don't do a place or moment justice. Glad you ladies had fun!
This is a really nice recap, I really envy you all :)
mhm, broken farro... looks really nice!
I LOVE this post! You totally captured the ambiance of our incredible dinner. So amazing. And breakfast...oh breakfast...seriously the best one of MY LIFE. Let's go back, k?
Love the action shots you took too! I didn't even notice you were shooting pictures!
That breakfast looks divine.
I live right here in San Francisco, but I've never really eaten at any of the places at the Ferry Building, minus from stands at the Farmer's Market and the Pepples Vegan Donut stand across from Sur La Table. Heck, I hadn't even had Blue Bottle Coffee until I met up with Stepfanie from SparkPeople on Sunday morning and she wanted to try it!
I will definitely have to check it out!
Awww...now I totally wish I had been able to stick around for another day. The farro looks good, but I really was jealous about the 3 am chats. :)
Ooh. This kind of gives me chills :) What an amazing trip you guys had. Cheers to SF!
I feel like I totally missed out as well for not staying longer! I didn;t get a chance to chat with you much or really to say goodbye. There are still loads of stuff I need to grill you on the photography! Teri is awesome. She spent the morning with me on saturday when I was getting sick of the breakout sessions. I vote for a giant meetup before the festival next year. Maybe you can get "Nikon" to sponser.
Love this post! Looks/sounds like a ton of fun!
What a coincidence - I was honestly going to ask you when you were doing another "slowing down" post (cause I love them so), and when I checked my reader you had already posted one!
I am so down with the slowing down movement and you were able to somehow translate the magic of those moments for the rest of us!
xo
I just have to tell you, I took pictures this morning before I went to work and I set my camera on MANUAL...I was so proud of myself and they actually looked decent. Improvement :)
The way you guys have described this meal is making me KICK myself for not trying it myself!!
Too funny!! I guess I wait until I'm inspired...and the last 2 days of this trip definitely did just that!!! xo
Agreed that Teri is awesome and more meetups would be great!
You were missed. :)
HIGHLY recommend it!!!!!!!! :)
I will meet you there this Sunday!!! I was trying to act like the paparazzi...you 2 are just so cool!!!!
I can't wait to find it and start playing with it at home!
Thanks Kristin :)
That would be fabulous!
I'm glad we at least got in a quick hello. The weekend flew by so fast!
I hope you try to recreate that farro porridge so I can see how it works!! Looks awesome!! The whole trip looked awesome!
Have I told you yet how much I love these posts?! Seriously. So good!
And now I have an intense craving for pesto!
Ooooh, I made you crave pesto without even showing a photo...sweet!!! :) I'm glad you like these posts!! Thanks girl.
That is my #1 priority!!!!!!
I am so jealous! That breakfast looks absolutely delicious. I really want to check that place out. I'm thinking of going back to San Francisco in a few weeks. There were so many places that I wanted to see in such a short amount of time!
Looks like such an amazing time! I remember my grandma making Farro for breakfast as a kiddo...hmmm, maybe I should call her and get a recipe. That bowl looks downright delicious!
I <3 your photography!
That is all. :)
Yes you should!!!! It's soooo delicious!
OK so I am a bit late to the party, but this post is 100 percent of the reason I absolutely love your blog, admire your photography and think so highly of you as a person. Amazing breakfast aside (and even though I'm not a foodie, good food is SO important) this is so, so great. Thank you for posting and well, just being you!
GAaaah..you are too kind. Thank you love. So much.
I'm going to this place on Monday morning specifically for their farro!! Wheeee!
I'm sooooooo jealous!! Their homemade yogurt is outstanding as well!!